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Town supervisor says town will focus on core services; animal advocates applaud move.
The Holtsville ecology site — a Brookhaven Town fixture for nearly a half-century — will be shut down early in 2026 under a new budget plan unveiled Monday by Town Supervisor Dan Panico and approved by the town board.
The decision follows years of mounting controversy and scrutiny over conditions at the sanctuary, where former employees have accused the town of animal neglect and inadequate veterinary care.
The allegations, which included claims of untreated illnesses and injuries and the use of unlicensed staff to perform medical procedures, spurred investigations by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Honey the bear’s death
The death of Honey, an elderly black bear euthanized in late 2024, became a rallying point for animal welfare advocates pushing for the closure of the site, which is formally called the Harold H. Malkmes Wildlife & Ecological Education Center.
The sanctuary’s staff will remain funded through the first quarter of 2026 as officials begin what Panico called a “methodical” wind-down of operations. A public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
Supe: Town shouldn’t be operating animal sanctuaries
Panico explained during a special town board meeting that shifting attitudes and fiscal realities led to the move. He noted that the site began decades ago under a former highway superintendent as an animal sanctuary, then grew into what many considered a small zoo.
In fact, the large metal archway at the ecology site’s entrance read’s “Welcome to the Holtsville Zoo.”
Panico said towns should focus on their core responsibilities — “land use, zoning, planning, parks, open space, paving roads, picking up garbage” — rather than operating animal sanctuaries.
“I’ve evaluated the operations, interviewed employees and looked at the dollars and cents,” Panico said. “The operations at the Holtsville Sanctuary are going to wind down. The animals will be placed in other sanctuaries where they can live out their days, and the town will continue to focus on the core services associated with town government.”
Popular family destination
The Holtsville Ecology Site has long been a popular destination for Long Island families, housing more than 100 animals and hosting programs ranging from gardening workshops to the annual Holiday Light Spectacular. It opened in 1979.
But in recent years, it became a flashpoint between town officials, former staffers and animal welfare groups over whether municipalities should be in the zoo business at all.
Humane Long Island President John Di Leonardo, whose group had campaigned for the site’s closure, called it “a compassionate decision” that will save taxpayers more than $2 million a year.
He said his organization is ready to help place the animals in reputable sanctuaries “immediately, at no cost to the town.”
Di Leonardo said his group can help ensure that “each and every animal goes to reputable sanctuaries where they can get the care they need and live more natural lives.”
“We could move many of the animals out as soon as today,” he added.
